How Young Musicians Can Leverage, Be Successful

Allure of Music in Nigeria

Music is referred to as the soul of life and it is said that when a music is good and appealing to the ears, then ‘Let’s Play It Twice’.  Music from Nigeria tagged controversially as Afrobeats has attracted global attention.

Generating over $2 billion in revenue per year with over 30 million monthly listeners worldwide, Nigeria’s music industry is unarguably one of the largest in the world. Stears Business in September 2022 stated that the Nigerian Music industry is the second best-performing Entertainment and Media consumer market in the world.

Our contemporary artistes namely Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Rhema, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Asake, Tems, Adekunle Gold, Fire Boy DML, Ayrr Starr and others have repeatedly put Nigeria on the global map in recent times garnering International a wards and plaudits as they export our brand of music.

Therefore, many youths think music is an easy way to bid poverty a good bye and in the music scene where the structural edifice seems opaque as regards the obvious process of recording a music in a studio, marketing it either by giving the street DJs, club DJs or the radio disc jockeys, finding a record label or music label to help hone one’s talent are not there for aspiring artistes. But with determination and networking with like minds, thousands of aspiring artistes can get some answers to their questions on forging a music career

Challenges Bedeviling Starters, Practising Musicians

There are challenges and pitfalls in every career and in the music industry where there are charlatans lurking around to prey on neophytes and uniformed aspiring musicians, money invested can be lost or gained in the long run.

Becoming a musician part time or full time is dependent on one’s passion interspersed with the right knowledge. Music talent which can be honed in the religious places- the churches or mosques, is mostly the first entry as yours sincerely growing up in a white garment church- Celestial Church of Christ, had my first desire for music as a percussionist in the church choir, even as my mum requested the leading talking drummer of a popular artiste, SSP in the 90s to teach me how to play the talking drum but the professional ‘gangan’ player was either too busy for me or I and mum didn’t push him too much for the training after he noted she buys a talking drum for me as a teenager.

Therefore, many choose to be part of a band as a back-up vocalist, drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist, trumpeter, producer or sound engineer and can evolve into the frontline as a performing musician. But many may and will not realise their potentials as a musician, singer songstress or a performer.

This is because for every Davido or Tiwa Savage, there are scores of artistes with similar or half-potentials of the stars  that did or will not see the light of day because of many reasons, one of which is the knowledge gap.

Players Musicians Speak On How To Make Success

According to a Nigerian seasoned musicologist, songwriter, performing musician, Afolaranmi Olaoluwa Abiodun known as Afowoslide (Abbey Trombone), the journey to be a musician and be a successful one starts with passion with a growing knowledge of the music industry and how that passion can fit in.

Abbey Afowoslide who has released several songs in Yoruba like ‘Yio Si Da’, ‘Laipe’ and has performed at the Freedom Park, Felabration with iconic artistes, is of the view that desire for growth is a major virtue aspiring musicians must have.

“Not all musicians will find themselves in a music label or signed to a record label or under a big music management company just like not every student will have As in their subjects but you can strive for excellence.

Consistency

Being in consistent in an endeavor or vocation, with the right attitude will always attract clients, says Trumpet player, Julius Olabiyi. The player who works with a top artiste, Fireboy DML, noted that his preparations during his schooling at Polytechnic od Ibadan as a music student and ability to learn from his mistakes, helped him to attract the right client. “I am a trumpet player and I have learnt even as a young man that you have to be on top of your game. Being Consistent and knowledgeable helps you and boost even your self-confidence. I got the job of being the trumpeter of Fire Boy DML by getting prepared and constant practice to know how the big guys and even the old ones honed their style and played the instrument,” says Olabiyi who was one of speakers at the impactful Lagos Trumpet Conference.

Knowledgable About Your Craft

Afowoslide who has been in industry for almost two decades, noted that for a young artiste or practicing musician to be reckoned with, he must know about his craft and have the knowledge of how to use it to fit in into the music system he finds himself or herself.

“Also the young musician must be knowledgable about his craft. I am a trombonist and a musicologist having trained musically at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) School, I have learnt over time to use my trombone, a brass instrument like the trumpet but seldom used by players, to show my dexterity and creativity as a musician. Every aspiring musician that wants to be successful must know about music at least on an elementary level. Know the application of your notes, scales harmony scales and all that so when you meet yourself in another clime, you can cope because music knowledge is universal and musicians worth their salt are respected. Being learned musically can impact on the success of a musician when they are properly used or infused as applied on one’s music career.

Marketing & Connecting To One’s Fan Base

Latoya Aduke, performing musician, dancer and widow of the legendary, Orlando Julius encouraged young musicians to understand music and seek to know their history as this would help them navigate the challenges. She added that being creative and innovative would help and importantly being humble which is a trait fast ebbing in the industry.

Afowoslide, noted that with the internet at one’s disposal, young artiste should build their fan base and connect more to their fans and the public. “Young artistes should leverage on technology as there is no excuse anymore. They should be up and doing on social media, constantly connecting with your fans. Attend nusical shows of prominent artistes and the live performances of older artistes across board particularly in your genre,” says Abbey Afowoslide

Strong Work Ethic

Mike Nliam, a singer, songwriter cum filmmaker, says it is a competitive world so young musicians must be ready and learn to attain success.

“With over a thousand aspiring artistes vying for success, the music industry has become increasingly competitive. To stand out in today’s crowded market, young musicians must possess not only exceptional talent but also high-quality content and a strong work ethic. In fact, the sheer number of emerging artists has raised the bar, requiring acts to offer something unique and exceptional to grab the attention of record labels and get signed. It’s no longer just about talent; it’s about dedication, persistence, and a bit of luck,” says Mliam, the producer of ‘One Half Of Safari’.